Howto  Realize  Our  National 
Association  Membership 

By  Eliza  Rhees  Butler 


Subjects  Considered  in  This  Leaflet: 


I.  Taking  Part  in  the  National  Convention 

II.  Attendance  at  Summer  Conferences 

III.  The  Use  of  Publications 

IV.  The  Field  Committees  and  Their  Headquarters 

V.  Annual  Membership  in  the  Student  Department 

VI.  The  Visit  of  the  Traveling  Student  Secretary 

VII.  Our  Share  in  the  World’s  Work 

This  leaflet  will  be  of  especial  service  to  the  cabinet  as  a 
whole,  inasmuch  as  the  material  is  of  mutual  interest  to  sev- 
eral of  the  standing  committees. 


How  to  Realize  Our  National 
Association  Membership - 

By  Eliza  Rhees  Butler 

National  Secretary  for  Secondary  Schools 


Published  by 
National  Board 

OF  THE  Young  Women’s  Christian  Associations 

600  Lexington  Avenue,  New  York  City 

1916 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/howtorealizeournOObutl 


How  to  Realize  Our  National 
Association  Membership 

By  Eliza  Rhees  Butler 

One  cannot  take  a conscious  part  in  a great  organization 
nor  contribute  to  its  life  without  constant  and  increasing 
knowledge  of  and  contact  with  that  organization  in  all  its 
interests  and  activities.  Every  local  Young  Women’s  Chris- 
tian Association  the  world  over  has  something  to  give  and 
something  to  receive  from  all  the  other  Associations.  In 
order  that  this  “give  and  take”  may  go  on,  advantage  must 
be  taken  of  the  various  means  which  exist  for  that  very 
purpose.  Provincialism  and  self-sufficiency  mean  stagnation 
and  decline  locally,  and  inefficiency  nationally,  while  a 
world  spirit  and  teachableness  lead  through  united  action 
to  a live  and  growing  influence. 

Locally  the  Association  leadership  is  in  the  hands  of  the 
cabinet  and  its  several  committees.  These  committees  should 
strive  to  keep  in  touch  with  the  national  as  well  as  the  local 
aspects  of  the  work  as  a natural  part  of  regular  Association 
life.  The  ways  by  which  membership  in  the  national  or- 
ganization may  be  realized  are  as  follows: 

1.  Taking  Part  in  the  National  Convention* 

Attendance  upon  the  National  Convention  is  one  way  of 
realizing  that  every  local  Christian  Association  has  a respon- 
sible part  in  the  national  work.  These  conventions  for- 


•For  this  and  the  following  section  see  leaflet  on  “The  Conferences 
and  Conventions  Committee”  listed  on  back  cover. 

3 


merly  met  every  two  years,  but  according  to  the  action  taken 
at  Richmond,  Virginia,  in  1913,  they  will  hereafter  meet 
every  three  years.  The  last  meeting  was  held  in  Los  An- 
geles, California,  in  May,  1915. 

At  these  conventions,  the  work  as  a whole  is  reported 
upon.  New  undertakings  are  discussed  and  future  policies 
outlined.  Every  delegate  has  a part  and  can  express  her- 
self freely  upon  all  matters.  The  number  of  delegates  each 
Association  is  entitled  to  is  in  proportion  to  its  membership 
(see  Handbook,  p.  113).  Thus  it  is  that  all  Associations 
may  share  alike  in  all  decisions  that  are  made  and  are  there- 
by equally  responsible  to  fulfill  all  the  obligations  undertaken 
by  the  Convention.  How  far  has  your  Association  thought 
out  and  met  these  corporate  obligations?  (For  further  in- 
formation see  Convention  reports.) 

Student  Associations  sometimes  find  it  hard  to  raise  the 
money  necessary  to  send  delegates  and  to  have  them  ex- 
cused from  academic  work  in  order  to  secure  representation 
in  Convention.  If  some  money  is  set  aside  each  year  for 
this  fund,  the  amount  will  be  on  hand  when  needed.  And  if 
an  Association  is  filling  the  great  part  in  student  life  that  it 
is  meant  to  play,  surely  any  college  president  or  dean  of 
women  will  count  it  an  honor  to  have  his  or  her  students 
participate  in  the  national  gathering  of  a great  democratic 
Christian  women’s  movement  such  as  the  Young  Women’s 
Christian  Association.  Why  not  begin  now  to  prepare  for 
your  representation  at  the  next  Convention? 

II.  Attendance  at  Summer  Conferences 

The  National  Convention  for  discussion  and  legislative 
action  can  come  but  once  in  a student  generation,  but  the 
summer  conferences,  which  are  to  inspire  and  educate,  gather 
in  many  sections  of  the  country  every  year.  Do  all  Asso- 
ciations realize  that  the  efficiency  of  Association  life  is 

4 


largely  determined  by  the  number  of  members  in  attendance 
at  these  conferences?  The  rapid  changes  which  take  place 
in  every  student  body  make  conference  attendance  almost 
imperative  if  there  is  to  be  real  understanding  and  joy  in 
local  work.  By  how  many  delegates  is  your  Association 
represented  each  year?  Ten,  twenty-five  or  fifty?  Every 
cabinet  member  should  be  there  and  as  many  representa- 
tive girls  as  possible.  The  conference  is  the  place  to  find  out 
what  Association  work  on  a national  and  world  wide  scale 
means,  and  to  be  spurred  on  to  renewed  effort  because 
of  a new  understanding  of  and  reliance  upon  superhuman 
power.  Surely  in  these  intercollegiate  gatherings  called  to- 
gether for  the  promotion  of  Christian  life  and  service,  we 
do  realize  that  we  have  a part  in  a world  student  Christian 
movement  bound  together  by  a commanding  purpose. 

III.  The  Use  of  Publications 

What  a help  it  is  to  have  the  information  we  are  seeking 
put  down  in  black  and  white!  Leaflets  are  ready  for  each 
committee,  full  of  suggestions  and  containing  the  best  of 
all  the  Association’s  experience.  Information  is  constantly 
being  gathered  at  the  national  headquarters  and  prepared 
for  distribution.  Association  officers  do  not  have  to  take 
time  to  write  to  or  bother  neighboring  or  similar  Associa- 
tions with  questions  which  are  already  answered.  It  is 
therefore  wise  to  keep  a full  set  of  the  student  technical 
leaflets*  on  hand  for  ready  reference,  and  to  use  them,  for 
in  this  way  local  work  becomes  standardized  and  advances 
more  rapidly. 

For  Association  history,  there  is  at  hand  “Fifty  Years  of 
Association  Work  Among  Young  Women,”  by  Miss  Elizabeth 
Wilson,  and  we  can  follow  “current  events”  by  reading  regu- 
larly the  Association  Monthly,  the  North  American  Stu- 


•See  back  cover  for  announcement  of  these  leaflets. 

5 


DENT  and  the  Student  World.  For  description  of  the  general 
work  and  organization  we  have  the  Association  Handbook. 
New  books  or  leaflets  along  all  Association  lines  are  constantly 
being  published.  Write  directly  to  the  Publication  Depart- 
ment at  the  national  headquarters  building,  600  Lexington 
Avenue,  New  York  City,  for  a price  list  containing  further 
information  about  any  or  all  of  these. 

Let  us  show  our  national  spirit  of  unity  by  using  the  au- 
thorized forms  of  Recognition  Service  for  new  members  and 
Installation  Service  for  new  officers,  and  keep  in  touch  with 
the  Association’s  foreign  work  by  sending  for  the  booklets 
on  work  in  China,  India,  Japan,  South  America  and  Turkey. 
Through  a wise  and  faithful  use  of  all  this  literature,  surely 
the  great  work  we  are  engaged  in  should  become  to  every 
member  a reality. 

IV.  The  Field  Committees  and  Their  Headquarters 

There  are  eleven  sub-committees  of  the  National  Board, 
whose  chief  interest  is  the  welfare  and  progress  of  all  the 
local  Associations  in  their  respective  districts,  whether  they 
be  city,  country  or  student  Associations.  You  will  find 
the  headquarters  of  your  Field  Committee  among  the  fol- 
lowing ; 

Central  Field  Committee,  58  East  Washington  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois;  for  Illinois,  Indiana,  Michigan,  Wisconsin. 

Delaware,  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  Field  Committee, 
630  Witherspoon  Building,  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

North  Central  Field  Committee,  412  Flour  Exchange, 
Minneapolis,  Minn.;  for  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Nebraska,  North 
and  South  Dakota. 

Northeastern  Field  Committee,  600  Lexington  Avenue, 
New  York  City;  for  New  England,  New  Jersey  and  New 
York. 


6 


Northwestern  Field  Committee,  Fifth  Avenue  and  Seneca 
Street,  Seattle;  for  Idaho,  Montana,  Oregon,  Washington. 

Ohio  and  West  Virginia  Field  Committee,  1211  First  Na- 
tional Bank  Building,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Pacific  Coast  Field  Committee,  319  Russ  Building,  San 
Francisco,  Calif.;  for  Arizona,  California  and  Nevada. 

South  Atlantic  Field  Committee,  806  Virginia  Railway  and 
Power  Building,  Richmond,  Virginia;  for  Florida,  Georgia, 
North  and  South  Carolina,  Virginia. 

South  Central  Field  Committee,  1411  Locust  Street,  St. 
Louis,  Missouri;  for  Alabama,  Arkansas,  Kentucky,  Louis- 
iana, Mississippi,  Missouri,  Tennessee. 

Southwestern  Field  Committee,  811  Sumpter  Building, 
Dallas,  Texas;  for  New  Mexico,  Oklahoma  and  Texas. 

West  Central  Field  Committee,  321  McClintock  Building, 
Denver,  Colorado;  for  Colorado,  Kansas,  Utah,  Wyoming. 

The  volunteer  workers  and  employed  staff  of  the  Field 
Committee  who  are  responsible  for  the  administration  and 
extension  of  the  work  in  your  field,  bring  all  the  resources 
of  the  national  organization  within  easy  reach  of  every  local 
Association.  Therefore  all  correspondence,  unless  otherwise 
specified,  should  be  carried  on  with  or  through  your  field 
committee.  Only  concerning  publications  and  summer  con- 
ferences should  direct  correspondence  be  carried  on  with  the 
national  headquarters  in  New  York.  Your  contribution  to 
national  and  world  work,  40  per  cent  of  membership  fees 
(see  Finance  leaflet)  should  be  sent  at  the  date  agreed  upon 
to  the  field  office,  also  your  voluntarily  pledged  contribu- 
tions to  foreign  Association  work. 

Any  matters  concerning  which  you  want  help,  advice  or 
information,  e.  g.,  the  visit  of  your  traveling  secretary,  head- 
quarters help,  study  courses,  finance  methods,  new  organiza- 
tions, etc.,  should  be  directed  to  the  field  office. 

7 


The  fact  that  a field  committee  is  constantly  studying  and 
supplying  your  needs  makes  this  help  most  practical,  for 
they  know  your  “peculiar  situation”  and  also  the  resources 
of  the  National  headquarters,  and  can  adjust  one  to  the 
other  in  your  part  of  the  country.  Moreover,  since  all  the 
Associations  in  your  section  are  united  through  your  Field 
Committee,  you  can  thus  unitedly  strive  for  the  extension 
of  Association  work  and  ideals  as  no  local  Association,  even 
if  it  had  the  time  and  resources,  could  ever  adequately  do 
alone.  Being  a part  of  the  field  organization  is  a reality 
carrying  obligations  and  dispensing  benefits. 

V.  Annual  Membership  in  the  Student  Department  of  the 
Field  Committee 

A very  real  contribution  to  the  development  and  adminis- 
tration of  the  student  department  of  the  field  work  is  made 
by  the  “annual  members” — undergraduate  representatives 
from  the  Associations  in  universities,  normal  schools  and 
colleges,  appointed  to  serve  as  representatives  of  a large 
Association  or  groups  of  two  or  three  smaller  ones.  These 
undergraduate  members,  who  have  full  voting  power,  share 
in  the  active  work  of  the  Field  Student  Department  by 
studying  the  immediate  needs  of  the  local  Association,  attend- 
ing at  least  two  meetings  a year  and  presenting  plans  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  undergraduate  viewpoint.  Their  inter- 
pretation of  present  day  student  interests  is  of  the  greatest 
value  to  the  other  members  of  the  student  department,  and 
the  annual  members  gain  much  valuable  experience  and 
knowledge  for  the  local  Associations  by  taking  the  larger  re- 
sponsibility of  judging  matters  from  a national  rather  than 
a local  viewpoint. 

VI.  The  Visit  of  the  Traveling  Student  Secretary 

One  of  the  most  vital,  because  the  most  personal,  means  of 

8 


keeping  in  touch  with  national  work  is  through  the  visit  of  a 
national  staff  representative,  a field  student  secretary.  Pic- 
ture the  schedule  which  she  follows  month  after  month  as 
she  goes  about  among  the  Associations  aiding  and  uniting 
them  even  though  scarcely  ever  able  to  stay  more  than  a few 
days  in  the  same  place.  In  all  weathers,  at  all  seasons  of 
the  year,  on,  on  she  travels  from  school  to  school,  suit-case 
in  hand.  What  are  her  responsibilities?  What  should  the 
Associations  expect  from  her?  What  should  she  expect  from 
them?  Because  of  the  importance  of  her  visit,  of  what  she 
can  be  to  each  Association  and  of  how  each  Association  can 
help  her  do  effective  work  and  at  the  same  time  aid  her  in 
keeping  herself  at  the  point  of  greatest  efficiency,  many  de- 
tails should  be  seriously  considered. 

(1)  The  traveling  student  secretary  has  many  responsi- 
bilities. First  of  all  the  committee  in  charge  of  her  work 
needs  some  share  of  her  time  at  the  field  headquarters,  where 
committee  matters  must  be  attended  to — meetings,  interviews 
and  correspondence.  These  take,  or  should  take,  at  least  one 
week  a month.  Furthermore  the  needs  and  demands  of  the 
various  Associations  require  an  extended  correspondence, 
both  with  national  headquarters  and  the  Associations 
throughout  her  field.  Special  conferences  are  to  be  arranged, 
printed  material  to  be  distributed  and  latest  suggestions  in 
regard  to  advance  policies  of  work  to  be  explained  and  for- 
warded. 

(2)  Secondly,  new  groups  of  students  requesting  or- 
ganization must  be  communicated  with  and  visited  as  soon 
as  possible.  The  traveling  student  secretary  for  the  field 
must  advise  and  guide  in  organization;  in  fact,  her  help  is 
essential  if  the  new  group  is  to  start  aright  and  understand 
the  real  purpose  and  obligations  of  organization.  Joining  the 
national  movement  has  deeper  meaning  and  more  far-reach- 
ing consequences  than  local  groups  often  realize.  Prepare 
carefully  through  correspondence  with  the  field  student  sec- 

9 


retary,  asking  for  advice  concerning  “first  steps,”  and  fol- 
low them  carefully,  for  she  has  had  repeated  experiences  in 
organization  while  locally  this  may  be  a first  venture.  In 
planning  for  a first  secretarial  visit,  it  would  be  well  to 
arrange  for  the  visitor  a meeting  with  some  representative 
and  interested  faculty  members,  the  dean  of  women,  asso- 
ciate principal  or  president,  as  the  case  may  be,  as  well  as 
conference  with  the  girls.  Often  local  pastors  and  women 
residents  of  the  town  should  be  advised  with.  A careful 
study  of  local  needs  should  be  made  and  before  organization 
is  effected  a definite  decision  reached  concerning  its  advis- 
ability. It  is  in  this  way  that  sure  foundations  are  laid. 

(3)  Thirdly,  the  organized  Associations  expect  their  reg- 
ular visitation  and  help.  The  secretary  usually  proposes  to 
the  local  president  or  secretary  the  time  for  her  visit.  Try 
to  arrange  for  the  time  suggested  and  answer  her  notes 
promptly  in  any  case.  Each  visit  involves  time,  expense 
and  a schedule  including  many  Associations.  Therefore  one 
Association  can  show  consideration  for  the  others  by  being 
prompt  and  thoughtful  about  answering  mail.  Many  an 
Association  loses  its  only  chance  during  the  entire  year  for 
secretarial  help  by  neglect  of  correspondence. 

How  can  a secretary’s  time  during  her  visit  of  from  two 
to  three  days  be  utilized  to  best  advantage?  Local  and  im- 
mediate needs  will  largely  determine  the  program  planned 
for  her.  There  are  always  certain  definite  things  every  As- 
sociation wants  help  in  and  every  good  cabinet  can  list  those 
promptly.  Of  course  it  is  always  a joy  to  see  again  some 
one  who  brings  back  the  happy  memories  of  last  summer’s 
conference,  which  helped  your  girls  to  find  some  of  the 
things  they  were  seeking.  There  are  girls  on  the  campus 
besides  the  Association  members  who  may  want  to  meet  her, 
as  well  as  a number  who  ought  to  be  interested  in  the  work 
and  are  not.  Possibly  one  of  the  advisory  board  members 
who  is  not  quite  clear  as  to  her  responsibilities  should  be 

10 


visited,  or  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school  where 
one  of  the  student  classes  meets,  desires  more  information 
about  the  Voluntary  Study  course  of  lessons.  There  may 
be  some  adjustment  needed  with  the  administration  about 
caring  for  student  employment.  Everybody  wants  sugges- 
tion for  social  service  and  usually  there  are  several  girls  try- 
ing to  decide  whether  they  should  volunteer  for  the  foreign 
field,  who,  in  the  interim  between  visits  of  the  traveling 
Student  Volunteer  secretary,  await  advice  and  information. 
Thus  the  list  of  needs  grows. 

Furthermore,  has  your  local  Association  problem  ever 
been  really  defined  and  faced  so  that  you  know  what  can 
best  be  planned  for  this  year  and  really  accomplished?  If 
not,  arrange  for  the  traveling  secretary’s  time  so  that  she 
can  study  it  with  you.  In  planning  her  schedule  do  not  as- 
sume that  just  because  she  is  “an  Association  person”  she 
has  no  wider  interest  in  your  school  than  your  Association 
provides.  For  instance,  she  will  enjoy  meeting  members  of 
the  faculty  in  a purely  human  and  friendly  way,  and  hear- 
ing of  the  work  they  are  interested  in,  or  going  to  some 
college  service  where  she  is  not  expected  to  speak.  The 
entire  life  and  activity  of  your  college  are  all  a part  of  your 
“local  situation,”  and  the  secretary  desires  to  understand  it 
fully,  for  if  your  Association  is  to  be  really  efficient  it  must 
adjust  itself  to  meet  the  real  needs  and  life  of  your  com- 
munity. 

Too  many  cabinets  arrange  the  same  kind  of  a program 
year  after  year  and  thereby  limit  the  secretaries’  knowledge 
of  the  schools  to  only  the  Association  girls’  viewpoint.  As 
an  illustration  of  a poor  schedule  often  handed  to  a secre- 
tary upon  her  arrival,  the  following  may  be  noted:  5:30 
P.  M.,  train  due;  6 P.  M.,  supper  at  the  dormitory;  7 P.  M., 
cabinet  meeting;  8:30  and  9.30  P.  M.,  summer  conference 
girls’  party  (peanut  butter  on  crackers,  pickles,  olives  and 
chocolate  cake) ; 7 A.  M.,  breakfast;  8 A.  M.,  chairman  of 

11 


finance  committee,  and  every  half  hour  following  until 
noon,  successive  chairmen  of  committees,  excepting  from 
9:50  to  10.25  A.  M.  for  assembly  hour,  when  the  secretary 
is  asked  to  speak  “on  anything  interesting”  for  fifteen  min- 
utes. At  noon,  she  is  carried  off  to  a chapter  house  for  din- 
ner and  asked  to  speak  afterwards  because  “there  are  some 
fine  girls  in  the  house  who  are  not  a bit  interested  in  the 
Association.”  From  two  to  three  she  may  have  an  appoint- 
ment with  the  dean  of  women  or  principal;  three  to  four, 
“rest,”  and  a girl  will  accompany  the  secretary  to  her 
room,  help  her  dress,  incidentally  confide  her  difficulties  and 
stay  until  the  next  escort  arrives  to  take  her  over  to  the 
regular  Association  meeting.  On  the  way  she  espies  a large 
poster  where  a pair  of  scales  and  her  own  name  are  the 
prominent  features.  Into  the  hall  she  pursues  her  way  to 
find  the  girls  waiting  to  know  “what  hymns  go  best  with  the 
subject,  ‘A  Balanced  Life’?”  Raise  this  program  to  the 
nth  power  and  the  life  of  a traveling  secretary  is  before  you. 

Need  this  be  so?  Is  such  a schedule  valuable?  Can  local 
needs  and  “peculiar  situations”  be  met  by  any  such  frenzied 
scheme?  How  long  can  a secretary  retain  her  efficiency 
under  such  abnormal  living?  Also  how  few  Associations 
can  make  any  real  advance  by  such  a method.  Much  that 
is  fundamental  can  and  ought  to  be  done  even  in  a short 
visit  if  thoughtfully  arranged.  Much  difficulty  would  be 
obviated  if  plans  were  made  sufficiently  in  advance  and 
with  the  advice  of  some  advisory  board  member  or  the  local 
secretary  where  there  is  one.  Some  one  in  authority,  the  dean 
of  women  or  principal,  should  know  when  the  secretary  is 
expected  to  arrive  and  the  proposed  program,  so  that  in  case 
the  Association  president  or  local  secretary  were  delayed  or 
failed  to  have  some  one  meet  her,  the  visitor  would  not  arrive, 
only  to  find  no  one  informed  as  to  where  she  is  to  go.  Try 
as  far  as  possible  to  prevent  unfortunate  conflicts  between 
regular  campus  appointments  and  special  gatherings.  Do 

12 


not  call  a meeting  at  the  hour  when  every  one  is  busy,  and 
expect  a crowd  to  hear  your  visitor’s  message.  A good  meet- 
ing requires  careful  planning,  wise  publicity  and  definite  in- 
vitation. An  elastic  and  simple  schedule  is  really  necessary. 
Plan  so  that  when  the  secretary  arrives,  she  can  be  comfort- 
ably located  in  a room  definitely  set  apart  for  her  alone.  If 
your  college  has  a regular  guest  room  to  which  she  can  be 
assigned,  all  the  means  necessary  to  do  her  work  are  usually 
at  hand  and  she  can  establish  her  headquarters  most  easily. 
If  she  is  to  occupy  one  of  the  girl’s  rooms,  suggest  that  a 
thoughtful  hostess  will  have  removed  her  necessary  supplies 
to  her  temporary  abode,  clearing  a few  hooks  in  the  closet 
and  arranging  at  least  a corner  of  the  table  for  writing. 
Before  leaving  your  guest  alone  to  unpack,  and  collect  her 
thoughts,  go  over  briefiy  the  chief  engagements  made  for  her, 
and  explain  the  school  schedules,  ringing  of  bells,  etc.,  and 
where  water  safe  to  drink  may  be  found.  Some  hot  watei 
brought  to  the  room  is  always  most  acceptable  and  refresh- 
ing after  traveling.  Later,  through  longer  consultation, 
compare  your  local  needs  and  the  message  she  desires  to 
bring,  and  adjust  her  schedule,  leaving  some  vacant  spaces 
which  will  allow  for  final  preparation  on  “speeches”  or  un- 
expected conferences.  Always  see  that  she  has  at  least  one 
uninterrupted  hour  before  taking  part  in  a large  public 
meeting. 

Varying  schedules  may  be  arranged.  No  two  visits  are 
exactly  alike.  One  secretary  has  found  the  following  plan 
most  satisfactory.  Instead  of  a special  appointment  with 
each  committee  chairman,  a cabinet  meeting  open  to  all 
committee  members  is  called  at  a convenient  hour.  The  cab- 
inet proceeds  with  its  regular  business,  while  the  committee 
members  listen  with  interest  to  brief  reports  given  by  the 
several  chairmen.  The  visiting  secretary  can  commend  or 
question  each  report  as  given,  and  short  discussions  on  “best 
ways”  can  take  place.  Thus  the  committee  needing  the  most 

13 


help  gets  it.  Those  needing  little  help  are  heard  from  and 
encouraged,  and  every  committee  member  present  sees  her 
committee  work,  possibly  for  the  first  time,  in  the  light  of 
the  whole.  The  secretary  can  then  present  some  advance 
work  before  the  group  and  it  can  be  well  started  by  having 
all  the  workers  hear  and  discuss  it  together.  By  these  means 
in  one  hour,  or  an  hour  and  a half,  the  secretary  can  become 
familiar  with  the  work  as  a whole,  identify  committee  mem- 
bers and  readily  determine  which  two  or  three  chairmen 
need  special  help.  With  these  she  may  make  special  appoint- 
ments. The  interested  Association  worker  is  always  found 
■willing  to  give  this  time  for  such  helpful  work  if  arranged 
for  far  enough  in  advance. 

While  the  girls  are  busy  during  morning  hours  with  the 
regular  scholastic  work,  the  secretary  -will  have  opportunity 
to  make  appointments  or  call  on  local  pastors,  Sunday  school 
superintendents,  and  advisory  board  or  faculty  members. 
She  will  also  need  time  for  necessary  correspondence,  study 
and  preparation  for  later  meetings. 

A general  Association  meeting,  informational  or  inspira- 
tional in  character,  can  usually  be  held,  individual  girls  be 
seen,  and  some  time  given  to  necessary  investigation  or  con- 
sultation with  the  secretary  of  the  Association  or  chairman 
of  the  advisory  board.  Such,  in  general,  should  be  the  char- 
acter of  regular  secretarial  visitation. 

Of  course  the  object  of  a secretary’s  visit  may  be  for  some 
specialized  rather  than  general  work,  such  as  finance,  a Bible 
institute,  round  table,  the  calling  of  a secretary,  foreign  work 
or  special  meetings.  In  such  cases  every  endeavor  should  be 
made  to  have  the  visit  well  planned  and  in  accordance  with 
its  special  purpose.  The  necessary  preliminary  work  sug- 
gested through  correspondence  with  the  field  office  should  be 
carefully  attended  to.  How  many  Associations  really  read, 
pay  attention  to  and  file  their  letters?  How  many  presi- 

14 


dents  remember  to  share  letters  with  cabinet  and  advisory 
board  members?  Often  a secretary  will  refer  to  a letter 
which  the  president  has  scarcely  opened.  If  the  purpose  and 
meaning  of  letters  is  not  clear,  be  sure  to  list  them  among 
“questions  to  be  referred  to  the  field  secretary.” 

Never  forget  that  the  secretary  has  a far  more  important 
message  than  mere  technical  efficiency.  That  object  alone 
would  never  have  brought  her  to  your  campus.  Technique  is 
truly  important,  for  by  and  through  it  we  are  able  continu- 
ally to  pour  forth  the  most  vital  Christian  message  in  a 
steady  and  truly  normal  way.  In  fact  this  is  one  reason 
why  our  organization  exists  at  all.  If  your  Association  de- 
sires to  make  a real  advance  each  year,  and  keep  pace  with 
other  Associations,  you  will  adopt  the  well  tried  methods  as 
recommended  to  you,  and  will  use  the  material  provided. 
Also  remember  that  the  traveling  secretary’s  health  and 
efficiency  are  part  of  your  definite  responsibility,  and  arrange 
as  normal  a life  for  her  as  is  possible,  so  that  she  may  give 
of  her  very  best.  She  comes  to  your  campus  only  that  more 
girls  may  have  the  more  abundant  life  through  knowing 
Jesus  Christ  as  Savior  and  Friend. 

If  your  Association  would  share  as  it  should  in  the  world- 
wide student  movement,  each  year  should  mark  a definite 
widening  of  your  horizon.  This  means  real  study,  thought- 
ful planning,  devoted  members  and  a praying  leadership. 
The  field  secretary  through  personal  visitation  and  knowl- 
edge keeps  you  in  touch  with  the  other  members  of  our 
national  movement,  and  together  we  can  work  for  the  ful- 
fillment of  the  fundamental  purpose  for  which  we  are  or- 
ganized. 


VII.  Our  Share  in  the  World’s  Work 

If  each  local  Association  is  to  take  a worthy  part  as  a 
unit  in  the  national  organization,  it  must  do  so  by  creating 
and  maintaining  a world  consciousness.  How  can  this  be 

16 


done?  By  making  it  a reality  through  knowledge  of  condi- 
tions, prayer  and  life  service.  (See  leaflet  on  “World  Fel- 
lowship.”) 

There  are  two  world  wide  relationships  which  every  local 
Association  maintains.  The  first  is  maintained  through 
being  a part  of  the  national  organization.  Each  Associa- 
tion is  a part  of  the  World’s  Young  Women’s  Christian  As- 
sociation, which  is  the  federation  of  thirty  national  organiza- 
tions under  the  World’s  Committee  with  headquarters  in 
London.  The  World’s  Committee  is  responsible  for  the  new 
work  to  be  done  in  its  field,  which  is  the  whole  world,  and 
must  find  means  of  organizing,  directing  and  supporting 
new  work.  Workers  as  well  as  money  are  needed.  Part 
of  our  regular  contributions  towards  our  national  organi- 
zation goes  toward  the  expense  of  administering  the 
World’s  Committee.  The  responsibility  for  work  in  the  sev- 
eral countries  is  apportioned  among  the  national  move- 
ments. The  Associations  in  the  United  States  are  respon- 
sible for  work  in  China,  India,  Japan,  South  America  and 
Turkey.  That  is  why  special  pledges  are  asked  for  foreign 
Association  work,  and  when  we  realize  that  the  extent  of  the 
work  for  the  girls  in  these  foreign  nations  actually  depends 
upon  our  gifts  and  when  we  count  up  our  small  gifts,  we 
see  why  the  work  is  not  growing  faster.  Why  are  more 
girls  not  offering  to  go  out  to  teach,  to  minister,  and  to  serve 
in  these  lands?  It  must  be  because  we  are  not  yet  conscious 
that  these  responsibilities  are  ours.  Let  us  gain  a truer  un- 
derstanding of  our  “world  fellowship”  and  respond  loyally 
to  these  calls  for  life  service. 

Secondly,  by  being  a part  of  the  student  movement  in  our 
national  organization  we  are  a part  of  the  World’s  Student 
Christian  Federation.  Do  we  follow  the  Christian  work  in 
the  university  centers  of  the  world?  How  far  have  we  com- 
prehended their  difficulties?  Are  we  standing  together 

16 


with  them  to  unite  the  students  of  the  world  in  loyalty  to 
Christ  Jesus  as  Lord  and  Master  of  us  all? 

To-day  when  so  many  of  those  to  whom  we  are  related 
by  our  common  faith  and  common  hope  are  suffering  both 
in  the  east  and  west  in  the  great  conflict  for  righteousness, 
can  we  sit  content  and  unconscious  in  our  home  Associations, 
doing  a little  work  and  leading  a self-centered  life  when  the 
great  purpose  of  our  whole  organization  is  calling  to  us  to 
realize  our  “togetherness”  and  to  use  every  means  to  make 
our  common  life  a reality!  Being  a member  of  a great 
world  organization  should  and  does  inspire  each  one  of  us 
to  make  our  own  part  worthy  and  ready  for  joyous  service 
locally,  nationally  and  world  wide. 


17 


PUBLICATIONS  FOR  LEADERS  OF  EIGHT  WEEK 

CLUBS 


1.  How  to  Promote  Eight  Week  Clubs  in  the  Colleges,  by 

Mabel  Stone.  5 cents. 

2.  College  Women  and  Country  Leadership,  the  study  book, 
by  Jessie  Field,  national  secretary  for  country  work.  25 
cents. 

3.  For  Leaders  of  Eight  Week  Clubs  (among  American 
girls)  by  Jessie  Field.  10  cents. 

4.  An  International  Friendship  Club  (among  foreign  girls) 
by  Edith  Terry  Bremer,  national  secretary  for  immi- 
gration and  foreign  community  work.  15  cents. 

Eight  Week  Club  Packet  containing  1,  2 and  3 or  4 (cross 
out  one  not  wanted).  40  cents. 

Texts: 

Out  of  Doors  in  the  Bible,  by  Ethel  Cutler.  A pilgrimage 
with  outdoor  people  of  both  Testaments.  Written  espe- 
cially for  summer  use.  15  cents. 

Jesus  Among  His  Friends,  by  Ethel  Cutler.  Six  stories  from 
the  life  of  Christ.  15  cents. 

Christian  Citizenship  for  Girls,  by  Helen  Thoburn.  Ten 
chapters  on  a girl’s  relation  to  home,  work,  worship, 
recreation,  friends,  etc.  25  cents. 

Note:  The  five  cent  leaflet,  “Two  Kinds  of  College  Girls,” 

containing  “little  stories”  by  Oolooah  Burner  and  Abbie 

Graham,  is  of  special  interest  to  Eight  Week  Club  leaders. 

Order  from 

Publication  Department,  National  Board  Young  Women’s 
Christian  Associations, 

600  Lexington  Avenue,  New  York  City. 


STUDENT  LEAFLETS 
For  Universities  and  Large  Colleges 
Advisory  Committee.  Bertha  Conde.  10  cents. 

Association  Membership  and  Church  Work.  Bertha  Conde. 
10  cents. 

Association  Meetings.  Oolooah  Burner.  10  cents. 
Association  News  Committee.  Edith  Dabb.  5 cents. 
Bible  Study  Committee  and  the  Voluntary  Study  Plan. 
Ethel  Cutler.  10  cents. 

Cabinet,  The.  Bertha  Conde.  5 cents. 

World  Fellowship  (for  the  Missionary  Committee).  Mar- 
garet Burton.  10  cents. 

Conferences  and  Conventions  Committee.  Louise  Brooks. 
5 cents. 

Finance  Committee.  Blanche  Geary.  5 cents. 

How  to  Promote  Eight  Week  Clubs.  Mabel  Stone.  6 cents. 
How  to  Realize  Our  National  Association  Membership. 
Eliza  R.  Butler.  10  cents. 

For  Colleges,  Seminaries  and  Academies 
The  first  six  leafiets  listed  above,  and  “World  Fellowship,” 
“Conferences  and  Conventions  Committee,”  “How  to  Pro- 
mote Eight  Week  Clubs,”  and  “How  to  Realize  Our  National 
Association  Membership,”  as  listed  above.  In  addition: 
Committee  Work  in  Small  Associations.  Eleanor  Rich- 
ardson. 5 cents. 

Finance  Committee  in  a School  or  College  Association. 
Edith  Helmer.  10  cents. 

Social  Service  Committee.  Eliza  R.  Butler.  5 cents. 
Year’s  Outline  for  Religious  Meetings.  Oolooah  Burner. 
10  cents. 

Note:  As  the  cost  of  each  of  these  lists  totals  $1.06,  a 
packet  of  each  will  be  sent  for  $1.00. 

Watch  The  Association  Monthly  for  announcement  of 
additional  leaflets  during  1916-17. 

Order  from 

Publication  Department 

National  Board  of  the  Young  Women’s  Christian  Associations 

fiOO  LEXINGTON  AVENUE.  NEW  YORK 


